*Official* England in NZ 2023

[Pothas]

Leach chickened out to be honest. He had many balls he could have hit and left it to a 40 year old that doesn't have the reflex or ability to pick the ball from the hand anymore.

We played pretty bad cricket the first innings but unbelievable comeback. We were destined to win I suppose despite making so many errors.

Yeah was begging him to find a single. He did a great job with Foakes though.

 

[Gnske]

Glad I turned on Kayo at the last moment to watch this. As soon as that wide / no wide wasn't called, you knew something munted was going to happen next ball.

As an aside, I eulogised Wags' career after the first test. I was wrong. Can't believe I doubted his big energy

 

[Moss]

What do you do with Wagner now? Let him retire on the win or keep playing when he's clearly past his best?

NZ won’t do it, but Wagz should take the opportunity and retire, won’t get a more fitting way to go.

 

[cricman]

Why did England declare in first innings? 435 is no score to declare at lol

The threat of rain/weather.

 

[Xix2565]

We can laugh at the declaration now lol

You should update the entry at 4 runs in your list.

 

[ashley bach]

Could Wagner be the surprise here with one final mighty effort in his career to give?
Yeah I really doubt it too

**** yeah he can and big time. Neil you ****ing little rip snorter.
now retire and cherish how a great career finished off.

 

[Spark]

Yeah but Leach had 6 balls and he had been there for a long time. He should have gone for it. You see the bazzball doesn't come to head when the pressure is on. Then it is a retreat. They should have been way more courageous.

He went for it a few times! He just missed the ball. Which was good because he could easily have holed out to one of three catching men out there and only got a single at best (which is what happened the one time he did connecct)

 

[nzfan]

So many heroes in this test match, Root, Brook, Foakes, Conway, Latham, Blundell, Mitchell, Southee, Wagner, Leach... the list is endless. Outstanding test match.

 

[thierry henry]

I still wish we would just get tailenders out by bowling normally rather than down legside to a 3-6 field, but whatever, filthy old ball bodyline is the most enduring success story of our glory days

 

[Starfighter]

England will be cranky about the incredibly inconsistent wide calls, though incredibly inconsistent wide calls is the norm for test cricket so eh. Easy for me to say I guess.

Nah they can piss off after Headingley.

 

[ataraxia]

how does this rate amongst Leach 1*s?

 

[Arachnodouche]

What do you do with Wagner now? Let him retire on the win or keep playing when he's clearly past his best?

Spent force, no? Should have the sense and grace to call it a day at the awards ceremony. Can't possibly top this.

 

[Xix2565]

Does this test have impact WTC? Are Australia through?

Nope, not a WTC series. The ENG vs NZ series in England when Bazball started was the WTC series.

 

[Pothas]

More gutted we didn't get the tie than not winning.

 

[social]

Hindsight is 20/20 but the praise that Stokes & the bowlers received for bowling the Kiwis out for 483 was always over the top

256 in the 4th innings in any conditions is a tough ask in test cricket and there’s about 150 years of data to back that up

 

[Gnske]

Can't blame the tailenders lets be honest. Root and Stokes badgered that.

 

[nzfan]

**** yeah he can and big time. Neil you ****ing little rip snorter.
now retire and and cherish how a great career finished off.

If I were Wagner I would go now... great memories to finish the career. Make room for some youth and he can hold his head high. Why bother play the next two matches or whatever he's going to play and limp out.

 

[Shri]

anderson crying face after being the last wicket to fall never gets old

 

[NZTailender]

At risk of jinxing, "all we need to do" is play traditional test cricket. A hamfisted attempt at Bazball on the fly won't win the game for us. I'm not sure how the weather will play out but England are going to 100% charge for a win because that's their mindset. Our guys have batted time in the past and they should set targets.

* Knock off the deficit by end of day, preferably a 50 run lead.
* Bat all day tomorrow to get to 250-300 lead at least
* Bat most of the first session on day 5
* England will think 350-400 in 2.5 sessions will be a doddle, but will require accelerated batting. Most wickets to come from caught in the outfield.

Game on imo [/nzfanoptimism]

yes I realise this requires us to score like 600

Y'all are going to be surprised when Wagner comes out tomorrow and sends down fireballs

As will the rest of us - not least the non-fire-retardant batsmen at the crease.

I've made enough hedged bets in this thread to be able two quote at least two semi-accurate ones

 

[Pothas]

Nope, not a WTC series. The ENG vs NZ series in England when Bazball started was the WTC series.

Yeah I actually don't know why this series exists really. Everyone be thankful for England test spam.